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    Chaia

    4.4 (215 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Chaia Takeout or Delivery

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    CHAIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Chaia

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    Reviews With Photos

    Seasonal Sampler
    Stephanie C.

    The tacos were good but a little small for the price. We got the seasonal sample taco platter and especially enjoyed the kale and the squash seasonal tacos. Conveniently location right by the convention center. The server was nice and helpful identifying which tacos were vegan vs vegetarian.

    You order at a kiosk. Good selection of vegetarian tacos with fresh ingredients. Food was ready quickly.

    Scrambled egg and black mean taco, braised mushroom taco and green rice.
    Stacey M.

    The restaurant was clean and the staff were friendly. The restrooms were also clean. My mom and I both had tacos. We both had amthe braised mushroom taco and I also had the scrambled egg and black bean taco. They were both delicious! I also had the green rice and it was fantastic. It was great for my mom who is vegan. I'm not vegan nor a vegetarian but it was still a great experience.

    Mushroom Quesadilla & Kale Salad Combo
    Aarti B.

    The handmade tortillas and vegetarian tacos are bursting with flavor in every bite! The tacos are peppered with spices and herbs, cheese, roasted veggies, and topped with zesty sauce that blend so well together and complement the flavors. All the tacos are unique and tasty - Braised Mushroom with feta, Creamy Kale & Potatoes, Roasted Beets with ricotta, Roasted Eggplant, Skillet Corn and Cauliflower, Lemon Garlicky Greens, Smoky Collared Greens taco, Butternut Squash with goat cheese and caramelized onions. The only taco that I'm not a big fan of is the Scrambled Egg with Black Beans. It's very bland and the eggs are cold. The new Lunch combos are great - I got the Mushroom Quesadilla with Kale Salad. The Kale Salad had a spicy kick! There's a nice large tank of complimentary ice water instead of the faucet. The hibiscus tea is refreshing and sweetened with honey. The coconut lime aqua fresca is refreshing as well and a nice summer mocktail. I've had the blueberry margharita slushie at the Gtown location and really enjoyed it. Always excited to come back and it's become a staple of my office go-to lunch hot spots!

    Brussels sprouts quesadilla
    Sonya H.

    Absolutely delightful spot!! Whether you're gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or none of the above, Chaia is a must-try! They have the most delightful tacos, with the most flavorful and fun combos of veggies. I usually opt for a taco trio, but, from there, the decision-making starts to get a bit challenging -- they have such a fun assortment of tacos, so it's nearly impossible to settle on just three! - Their creamy kale and potato is a classic for a reason, with a great richness from the cream / pepper jack and heartiness from the potato. They also top the taco with a bit of salsa verde and pickled onions, the perfect little vinegary / peppery bite to cut through the rest of the taco. - The braised mushroom and smoky collard green tacos are equally delicious, and they definitely pack a deep earthy, umami and smoky flavor. They're extremely mushroom / collard green-forward, so I'd only recommend these if you're a huge fan of either vegetable. They're both a bit on the lighter side, so they're the perfect way to balance out a heartier taco like the creamy kale and potato or sweet potato hash. - Chaia's sweet potato hash has to be one of my favorite tacos; not only are the sweet potatoes perfectly cooked, with a nice, soft interior and crispy outer shell, but they have a great smokiness from the chipotle peppers that balance out the slight zing from the feta and arugula pepita salsa. Similarly, the roasted butternut squash taco is incredible, with a great hearty yet somehow light-ish base from the squash and layers of flavor from the goat cheese, caramelized onions, chipotle yogurt, and mint. - If pure veggies aren't your thing or if you're looking for a bit more protein, the scrambled egg and black bean taco is calling your name! It's a wonderful taco, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and has a wonderful creaminess from the queso fresco, freshness from the cilantro and salsa, and tiny hit of heat from the jalapeno. I usually need to get at least one of these guys in my trio to create a balanced meal, but it absolutely deserves to be a go-to

    Kia D.

    I've been here before for a Yelp event quite some time ago now, but haven't been back. Clocking in some steps on my lunch break, I ran into Chaia. I'm so glad to see this business is still here and thriving. At the time, DC seemed a bit inundated with tacos after the cupcake craze... But guess who's here for tacos and plant based options now? Who always thinks it's tacomagarita o'clock? *Raises hand* Everything was a great combination of flavors and textures. The coconut based drink I had was tasty. I can't recall each taco name, but just know that I chose options with my fingers crossed and my taste buds were elated. I'll be returning soon!

    Sweet potato nachos
    Matt D.

    CHINATOWN, Washington DC - A swell fast-casual vegetarian taco joint. The missus and I went there on a Saturday, 1245ish. Some customers, but plenty of available seating. Very clean and bright. I got the sweet potato nachos ($9.75) and the mushroom quesadilla ($5.95). Pretty good nachos, with cubes of roasted sweet potato as a topping. The mushroom quesadilla was simple but done well. Would definitely get the nachos again. She got the taco trio ($13.45) of a kale & potato taco, braised mushroom taco and acorn squash taco. All three were interesting flavor and texture and color combinations, and all three were tasty. The tortilla held up well. Pro tip: little cups of water are free if you don't want a drink. As greens, we like that they compost. Would definitely partake again.

    (From left) Roasted Eggplant, Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash Taco, Braised Mushroom Taco
    Hannah K.

    Yummy vegetarian food! What you order is what you get (complimentary). Reasonably priced and food atmosphere. Fun to try a variety of tacos on the first visit, but be careful with the eggplant one if texture bothers you!

    Black Beans
    Kristi W.

    Super healthy vegan/vegetarian/GF optional taco spot that did not disappoint! The ingredients were fresh and delicious! The black beans were hands down the BEST that I've ever had in my life! I wish I could buy them by the pint! So good! My braised Mushroom taco had a little heat which complimented it perfectly. The scrambled egg & black bean taco was just as tasty! The chips and salsa was good. Had a kick there, too. I ended up getting the combo with two tacos and a side of chips and salsa, which was more than enough. I did get the hibiscus tea and it was refreshing! Prices were a bit on the higher end but it is a healthier spot, too. If you want fresh, quality ingredients these days, you kind of expect it. This, Im not complaining at all and will definitely be returning soon. The creamed potatoes looked divine. That will be on my return list for sure! The customer service was great. They were friendly and helpful. There is an ample amount of sitting inside and even a couple of cute couches to lounge on. They have a few adult beverages, too. I can see those couches being beneficial for that alone. Haha.

    Menu
    Neha G.

    Happy to see another location easier to access via metro vs going all the way to Georgetown. This is a larger location with more sit down space. Order at the kiosk and your name will be called when the order is ready. The $4.95 tacos are tiny. I see why people do 3 to feel full. Good vegetarian taco but wish they had some bean or tofu options. Also, no one by the kiosk if you have a question about ordering or food substitutes. They have restrooms.

    Smitha M.

    The food is so delicious! I am so happy to see plentiful vegetarian and vegan options. The service was smooth, quick, and easy. I got all three tacos adapted for vegan and they used vegan cheese as well! And the eatery has a nice, relaxing vibe, it is a wonderful spot to catch up with friends in a quiet, relaxing environment. I hope to be back again soon!

    outdoor seating
    Shubha A.

    My friend and I were looking for some tacos for Cinco De Mayo and saw Chaia - it was a 10/10 experience! The entire menu is vegetarian, and items can be made vegan upon request. When you walk in you can order at the kiosk, or you can seat yourself and order from your phone. They will call your name when it's ready - and it's decently fast service. There is a good amount of seating and everyone is super nice! My friend and I got the nachos to start with and if you're checking out Chaia - you MUST try the sweet potato nachos, simply amazing!! We also got the braised mushroom, roasted asparagus & edamame and citrus-roasted beet tacos which were all amazing. My favorite was the asparagus and edamame! They also have vegan cheese available for no upcharge, which I thought was very nice and it tasted ok - not my favorite, but was still good. They have a dessert option that is vegan and gluten free, which we thought was very nice - we did not get to try that this time, but will definitely be coming again! Highly recommend checking out Chaia.

    Cheese quesadilla with spicy Monterey Jack and mushrooms. Not recommended.

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    Bettina S.

    Elizabeth, so glad you enjoyed our restaurant and the food!

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    Juan D.

    Thank you, Smitha. Thrilled that you loved Chaia. We do too:-)

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    Bettina S.

    Just amazing!!!! Thank you, Sarah, for the enchilada love.

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    Hi Bryan G., thank you for your amazing review!

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    Ask the Community - Chaia

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